RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen has a couple of names he desires to examine off his checklist after one other profitable title protection at PFL: Battle of the Giants.
For the second time in 13 months, the undefeated Eblen (16-0) confronted Fabian Edwards in a title struggle. Eblen stopped Edwards (13-4) the primary time round within the third spherical. This time, issues had been totally different because the struggle went the space, and the placement performed an element too, in response to the champ.
“I really feel prefer it form felt the identical as the primary time round, however this time I confirmed my entire deck of playing cards,” Eblen advised MMA Junkie and different reporters throughout a post-fight information convention. “I utilized my wrestling a bit extra. It was an analogous kind of struggle, besides the final struggle, I caught him. This struggle, I may have caught him. I damage him early.
“I feel the time change, it was an enormous, huge influence on me. I actually felt it within the fifth spherical. I feel subsequent time I struggle out right here, I’m going to have to come back out earlier.”
Except Edwards goes on an plain run, which is tough to do given Bellator’s occasion schedule, there gained’t be a trilogy struggle towards Eblen. So the champ can be wanting ahead to dealing with a brand new opponent. In actual fact, Eblen has made it simpler for the Bellator and PFL matchmakers by laying out a “hit checklist” of names.
“Derek Brunson, Costello van Steenis and Impa (Kasanganay), these are the fellows which are on my hit checklist,” Eblen mentioned. “Whoever’s able to struggle first.”
UFC veteran Brunson (24-9) gained his PFL debut final November in a unanimous choice over Ray Cooper. Van Steenis (15-3) is 7-2 below the Bellator banner, and picked up a win over Gregory Babene in Might.
Kasanganay (18-4) could be an thrilling rematch from their February bout at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions. Eblen gained the struggle by cut up choice, but it surely took a late rally to get the job completed. Kasanganay can also be a month away from doubtlessly securing his second consecutive mild heavyweight PFL championship.
For now, Eblen will benefit from the fruits of his labor after securing his third Bellator title protection, and await the following problem that promotion produces.
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